The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1887-09-02
THE POOR IMMIGRANT.
WHAT he HAS TO PUT UP WITH AT
CASTLE GARDEN

Alleged Irregularities of the Commas
sioners OF Emigration Being Investi-
gated = Testimony of witnesses-Ths
Railway POOL Existing ut the Garden
Heavy Charges for Carrying baggage.
New York, Aug 23.--The official inves-
LEGATION into the alleged irregularities of the
commissioners Of emigration at Castle Gar
den was commenced Tuesday before Mr..
Oakley, Of the treasury department. Mr.
Hamilton, reporter Of The New York
World, was the first witness. He said no had
been detailed TO work up the case of tho
Swedish girl Injerd Commissioner Oelrich
tod him that his board had power to send
back all immigrants who were likely to become
public charges lie then went into full par
ticulars of the case and the privations' suf-
fered by Mrs. Injerl and the assault she
claims was committed upon her by George s.
Ives, the janitor mt the garden, who is yet an
employee there His case has not yet been
dealt with. When a telegram was received
from Secretary Fairchid respecting the ac-
ton the commissioners should take the meet
ing paid no attentian to it, and when Com
missioner Stevenson was leaving the room he
was heard to remark: 'sNow we will get
square with that man Fairchld."
Witness stated that the bread stand
was subet to George Mentzsr for So, 600
year. slice of bread slice of sausage
and a little glass of beer costs IS cents The
beer can not be bought without the bread
The money exchange is run by two bankers
named Scully and Davitt who pay 81, 200 per
annum for the privilege. On Aug. their
rate for an English sovereign was s4.S2
while the outside rate was "a. So The next
matter gone into was the alleged railway pool
existing mt the garden. Mr.. Doane repre-
sents all the roads and divides up the profits
The New York Central gets q per cent, the
Erie II, Pennsylvania Is, West Shore l3,
l.ackawanna IL, Baltimore & Ohio l3, and
the Ontario & Western Is. The witnes,
went into the question of excessive rates
charged for carrying baggage for the imni-
grants which in many cases is far over the
rates charged cabin passengers over the same
roads. The charges to Chicago In this direc-
tion are frightful.
The witness related many instances in
which immigrants were Ov.rcharged and
placed under heavy exp,ns'. An immigrant
has no choice az to what road he goes over
The pool has to pay commission on nj
tickets sold abroad, so they object to prepaid
passengers. Witness next stated that he
saw Mr.. Doane's agent take away ticket from
man. 1t was what is known a. five-day
ticket and compel him to buy pool ticket.
A five-day ticket permits the holder to re-
main that length OF time in this city before
proceeding on his journey. The steamship
company's employees are prevented by Mr..
Doanes agents from taking the immigrants
where they can get cheap railroad tickets
Mr.. Doane is connected with the Lincoln land
agency. He Is in partnership with two men,
Richards and Oppenheimer. The latter gets
frequently arrested for his eccentricity in
carrying on his business.
The baggage department is run by John
Wood, whose active business is conducted
by Mr.. Barnard Biglin. The baggage is
often lost and always overcharged. Many
instances were recited in confederation OF
these statements. John Anderson, an agent
OF the White Star Line company, followed,
and told story of many wrongs done i'm
migrants. Martin Maud, the next witness,
testified that since last July he had not been
permitted to sec immigrants until they had
first purchased tickets. He often saw Mr.
Doane in the baggage-room when the han
dlers were being tipped. At this point re-
cess was taken.